USDA Moves to Comply with Court Order for Full SNAP Payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to comply with a federal court order that mandates full food benefits for approximately 42 million Americans through November. The announcement was made on Friday by Patrick Penn, the deputy undersecretary of Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.

USDA’s Compliance Efforts

Penn stated that the USDA is actively working to implement the court’s order, originally issued by U.S. District Judge John McConnell. This guidance is directed at state agencies as they prepare to provide full benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Details of the Court Order

• Date of Order: Issued Thursday by Judge John McConnell.
• Individuals Affected: Approximately 42 million Americans relying on SNAP for food assistance.
• Duration: Full benefits are expected to continue through November 2025.

The USDA is set to complete necessary processes to fund the full November benefits, despite an appeal by the Justice Department to block the judge’s decision. This appeal also requests that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit review the case for emergency relief.

Legal Background

The lawsuit leading to this order was filed by various cities and nonprofit organizations after the USDA announced earlier plans to halt food assistance during the ongoing government shutdown. Judge McConnell had directed the administration to utilize existing contingency funds to ensure that SNAP recipients receive their food aid for November.

Administration’s Response

Although the Trump administration claimed it would comply with the order, it later indicated that only partial benefits could be issued due to limited reserve money. After sending guidance to the states for calculating reduced payments, the USDA warned that it might take weeks for recipients to see assistance.

Additional Legal Action

In response to the delays, plaintiffs asked Judge McConnell for immediate relief, arguing that swift action is essential for SNAP beneficiaries. McConnell criticized the government for potentially delaying assistance for political reasons, referencing a statement by President Trump that suggested aid would only resume once the government was reopened.

The White House later reassured that efforts were being made to align with the court’s decision, confirming compliance with the order for full SNAP payments. McConnell reiterated that the administration must draw from both the contingency fund and additional resources allocated for Child Nutrition programs.

As the situation evolves, the USDA is facing scrutiny regarding its handling of food benefits during this challenging period for millions of Americans dependent on SNAP.